A packed holiday jet travelling from Bournemouth to Gran Canaria was unexpectedly diverted to Faro Airport in Portugal following reports of smoke in the cabin, sparking a significant emergency response. The incident prompted a 'red code alert' at the Algarve airport, leading to the mobilisation of numerous emergency vehicles, although the aircraft ultimately landed without further incident.
Flight Details and Emergency Protocol
The flight had departed from Bournemouth at 9.55am and was scheduled to arrive in Gran Canaria approximately 3.5 hours later. However, it was rerouted to Faro, landing safely around 12.25pm local time in Portugal. Local sources confirmed that the diversion was directly attributed to 'smoke in the cabin,' necessitating immediate precautionary measures.
As part of the red alert procedure, emergency services, including paramedics and firefighters, were placed on standby at Faro Airport. Civil Protection reported that 35 vehicles and more than 80 responders were mobilised, involving workers, police, ambulances, and firefighters to ensure a swift response if needed.
Recent Similar Incidents in the Region
This event echoes a similar occurrence in December last year, when another plane heading from London Stansted to the Canary Islands was diverted to Portugal following a red alert. That Boeing 737, en route to Fuerteventura, also landed at Faro Airport after declaring an emergency.
Squawk Alert, a service that monitors commercial airlines declaring emergencies, noted on its site at the time: 'The crew of Jet2 flight EXS83LV from London to Fuerteventura has declared an emergency and are diverting to Faro.' Another flight emergency site indicated the diversion was due to a problem with engine number one, highlighting the varied causes of such incidents.
Other Diversions Involving UK Tourists
Earlier in the same month, a Ryanair flight packed with returning UK tourists had to divert following a mid-air toilet malfunction. Flight FR1667, which should have reached Bristol around 5pm on December 8 after departing from Fuerteventura at lunchtime, was rerouted to the neighbouring Canary Island of Lanzarote shortly into its 3.5-hour journey. Local air traffic controllers reported that 'some toilets' stopped working, necessitating the unscheduled landing.
These incidents underscore the importance of robust emergency protocols and the readiness of airport authorities to handle unexpected situations, ensuring passenger safety remains a top priority in aviation operations.
